Each Flipped Learning Module (FLM) is a set of short videos and online activities that can be used (in whole or in part) to free up class time from content delivery for greater student interaction. At the end of the module, students are asked to fill out a brief survey, in which we adopt the minute paper strategy. In this approach, students are asked to submit their response to two brief questions regarding their knowledge of the module.
In this FLM, students are asked to complete a fill-in-the-blank outline which accompanies all three videos, covering the topics of phrases, clauses and fragments. The completed outline will enhance the students’ note-taking skills and will serve as a summary of the FLM that they may refer to in the future.
Key Terms
phrase structure, phrases, clauses, simple sentence, word order, troublespots, fragments, Subject-Verb agreement
Module Overview
- Phrase and Phrase Structure
- Introduction
- Noun Phrases and Adjective Phrases
- Other Types of Phrases
- Simple Sentences and Common Troublespots
- Independent Clause as a Simple Sentence
- Typical Sentence Word Order
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Clause Types and Fragments
- Independent and Dependent Clauses
- Dependent Clauses as Fragments
- Relative Clauses as Fragments
Download Video Transcripts
Worksheet: Sentence Structure Outline
Please fill out the following outline while you are watching the videos, and bring a copy to class.
- What are the five types of phrases found in English?:
- (Type 1) _________________________
- (Type 2) _________________________
- (Type 3) _________________________
- (Type 4) _________________________
- (Type 5) _________________________
- Write a brief (1-2 sentences) definition of a simple sentence: _____________________
- What is the typical word order in English affirmative sentences? __________________
- Examine the sentence below and decide if it contains a subject-verb agreement error or not.
If you find an error, offer a revision:
“One of the angry protesters are climbing over the barricade.” _____________________
- List two types of words that signal dependent clauses: _________________________
- (Type 1) _________________________
- (Type 2) _________________________
- Finally, what are two types of fragments in academic writing?:
- (Type 1)_________________________
- (Type 2)_________________________
Download Outline
Video 1: Phrases and Phrase Structure
Video 2: Simple Sentences and Common Troublespots
Sentence Structure Online Activity 1
Copy a paragraph from one of your recent papers that you wrote in this class or in another class. Next, underline all the subjects and circle all verbs in your sentences and examine them closely. What stands out to you about your sentence subjects and verbs? Write a one-paragraph reflection, in which you answer the following questions:
Video 3: Clause Types and Fragments
Sentence Structure Online Activity 2
Consider the modified excerpt below, from Julie Traves’ essay “The Church of Please and Thank You.” There are three fragments in this excerpt.
Part 1: First, decide if the sentences below contain errors or not. Write which sentences are fragments.
(1) Besides the 380 million people worldwide who use English as their first language. (2) It’s estimated there are 350 million to 500 million speakers of English as a foreign language (EFL)–and the number is growing for people from affluent and developing nations alike. (3) It is clear that the secret passwords to safety, wealth, and freedom can be whispered only in English. (4) Which is quickly becoming a global language. (5) Even 66 percent of French citizens, linguistic protectionists par excellence, agreed they needed to speak English in a 2001 Eurobarometer poll. (6) While thinkers such as John Ralston Saul proclaim the death of globalization. (7) Locals from countries around the world are clamoring for English training.
Part 2: Next, offer a revision for each fragment. Below, write the number of each sentence that contains and error, and next to the number write a correction.
Submit your response to your instructor.
Sentence Structure Survey
Please answer the following two questions, and submit the responses to your instructor.
- What was the one most important thing you learned from this module?
- Do you have any unanswered questions for me?
Sentence Structure In-Class Activity
- Exchange a draft of your recent paper with another classmate.
- As you read your partner’s draft, pay special attention to the sentence structure. In particular, mark any issues you see in the draft that relate to the author’s:
- use and types of sentence subjects
- subject-verb agreement
- placement of adjectives and adverbs
- fragments
- Next, write a one-paragraph letter to your partner, in which you summarize three biggest concerns you have about their sentence structure. Be specific and give examples of issues you noticed in their writing.
- Finally, share your notes and your letter with your partner.
Download Worksheet
Download Digital Implementation of the Activity
References
“
Adjective Phrase.”
Your Dictionary. 2018.
“Defining Relative Clauses.” Education First.
“Extended Rules for Using Commas.” The Purdue OWL, Purdue U Writing Lab.
Ferris, Dana R. Language Power: Tutorials for Writers. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2014.
“Mt.SAC Writing Center Real Grammar Handout: Learning to Find Sentence Boundary Errors.” Mt. SAC Writing Center, Microsoft Word file.
Parrott, Martin. Grammar for English Language Teachers, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, 2010.
Raimes, Ann. Grammar Troublespots: A Guide for Student Writers, 3rd ed., Cambridge University Press, 2004.
Traves, Julie. “The Church of Please and Thank You.” Globalization: A Reader for Writers, edited by Maria Jerksey, Oxford University Press, 2014, pp. 172-179.
